THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE

2000

Matt Damon is a has-been golfer and Will Smith is his Yoda-esque caddy in the latest film by Robert Redford. Once again, Redford does a nice job of taking a sport and making it beautiful -really making you appreciate it. Smith plays the title character, Bagger Vance, who shows up to caddy for Damon and ends up helping Damon find his golf game and put his life in order. Charlize Theron plays Damon's old love interest and the owner of a golf course. I really wanted to like this movie. And I did, but it really lacks the power that you think its going to have. The acting by the leads was good all around. Technically, I think a little more time could've been spent on the editing and I thought the cinematography was poor. Overall, a good movie but I think a little more could've been done with it.

4 Stars

CDF

I think that the game of golf is as boring as watching grass grow. If you feel the same way as I do, don't let that stop you from seeing this beautiful, beautiful film. Using golf as a metaphor(it could have been needlepoint,) director Robert Redford weaves a magical tale of a mystical exhibition golf match in the atmospheric charm of the Deep South after World War I. The hero of this fairy tale is a young golf pro, war hero, and native son of Savannah, who returns home from the war completely shattered. All of this changes when he meets the mysterious Bagger Vance. Everything about this film reeks of class: the direction, the sets and costumes, the musical score, and especially the incredible acting performances of Will Smith, Matt Damon, Charlize Theron and the young boy J. Michael Montcrieff. Robert Redford has found his swing again! I loved this film.

5 Stars

NJB